The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 27, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 21, 2006
Applicants:
Xin Zhou, Wexford, PA (US);
Jan Walker, Franklin, WI (US);
Inventors:
Xin Zhou, Wexford, PA (US);
Jan Walker, Franklin, WI (US);
Assignee:
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01R 31/27 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A system and method for monitoring the remaining useable life, or 'wellness,' of a contactor or motor starter, and for predicting impending faults of such a device, is disclosed. By monitoring actuating coil current, actuating coil voltage, line current, and/or line voltage, the present invention can calculate wellness metrics which, when compared to threshold values, may be used as indicators of remaining life and/or imminent failures. The invention also provides non-mechanical positive indications of proper closures and openings of contacts for safety interlocking.